John Lydon and Public Image Ltd to headline Stone Valley South festival in East Herts

The legendary John Lydon is bringing anarchy to East Herts with a performance by Public Image Ltd (PiL) at Stone Valley South.

The band is headlining the opening night of the three-day festival on Friday, May 23, and will perform at the Midlands and North versions of the event later in the summer as part of the aptly named This is Not The Last Tour, 2025 UK.

After fronting the Sex Pistols as Johnny Rotten, Lydon formed post-punk originators Public Image Ltd (PiL) in 1978.

One of the most innovative bands of all time, they have racked up five UK Top 20 singles and five UK Top 20 albums.

With a shifting line-up and unique sound – fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub – Lydon guided the band from their debut album First Issue in 1978 to 1992’s That What Is Not, before a 17-year hiatus.

The always controversial Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively and releasing three critically acclaimed albums This is PiL in 2012 followed by What The World Needs Now… in 2015 and End of World in 2023.

Stone Valley South is returning to Pepper Hill Farm, Great Amwell, for a seventh year from May 23 to 25.

Once again the organisers are promising some of the biggest names in punk, rock, indie, ska and Northern Soul.

The South line-up already includes newcomers Dutty Moonshine Big Band and Punk Rock Factory making their Stone Valley debuts and a welcome return by former member of The Specials and Fun Boy Three, the original rude boy Neville Staple.

Back by popular demand after a storming set last year are Ferocious Dog and festival favourites Death of Guitar Pop.

Also confirmed in the first wave of acts - with two more headliners and other performers yet to be revealed - are The Skids, Bar Stool Preachers, Goodbye Mr McKenzie, Porkpie, Buster Shuffle, Sex Pissed Dolls, Riskee & The Ridicule, Armory Show and Jeramiah Ferrari.

Tickets for Stone Valley Festival are on sale with a handful of early bird tickets remaining from www.stonevalleyfestival.co.uk.

As well as day and weekend tickets, the event offers camping options.